Missing a crucial factor

What is freedom of speech, one writer's take:

"The uproar in the Islamic world over Danish cartoons lampooning the prophet Muhammad reminds us that much of that world misunderstands what democracy means."

"In the Muslim world, where physical depictions of the prophet are blasphemous, the drawings were viewed as a Western attack on Islam. But in Europe, newspapers have reprinted the cartoons in defense of freedom of speech.

The whole episode is a classic case of cultural collision. Yes, these images are insensitive and heighten tensions between the West and Islamic countries. It might have been better had they never surfaced."

"But the assumption by many ordinary Muslims -- and even Muslim leaders -- that Western governments should censor such drawings is a nonstarter. As the newspaper France Soir, which reprinted the cartoons, wrote: "We had no desire to add oil to the fires as some may think. A fundamental principle of democracy and secularism is being threatened." This is a principle that many Muslims apparently don't understand.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, perhaps reflecting the sentiment of angry constituents at home, reportedly called for a limit on press freedom. Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai said that "an act like this must never be allowed to be repeated."

"Sharia does not apply in the West, where freedom of speech is a right protected by law and constitutions. The exercise of that right irritates Western leaders, including President Bush. And Western media are more likely to insult their own religious icons than they are those of Islam.

Remember Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ? Or the infamous New York exhibition that included Andres Serrano's Piss Christ, a photo of a cross dipped in urine? Both were widely condemned by America's religious leaders.

Such protest is totally legitimate, and part of Western tradition. If Muslims want to picket newspapers that publish the cartoons, more power to them. What's not legitimate in democratic society is a death threat against artists or demands to curb free speech.

This point must be emphasized over and over, as Europe struggles to better integrate its 15 million Muslim citizens. European leaders can soothe hurt Muslim feelings but shouldn't apologize for free speech."
Star-Telegram | 02/08/2006 | Missing a crucial factor